Sam

Five year old Sam was having terrible pains in his neck and hip. Weeks later, and after many tests, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. His mum, Tamsin, tells their story so far:

"In the weeks leading up to his diagnosis, Sam had been unusually tired. He was asking to drive places, rather than walk. He had also been struggling in his swimming lessons and was complaining of a sore neck.

Doctor prescribes pain killers and physiotherapy

This time the doctor suggested referring Sam for physiotherapy. At that stage it seemed a logical thing to do.The doctor initially thought Sam had a trapped nerve in his neck and suggested pain killers. A week later Sam woke up screaming and crying because his hip hurt.

This time the doctor suggested referring Sam for physiotherapy. At that stage it seemed a logical thing to do.

That night the pain still had not gone so I took him to A&E. The doctors examined him but couldn’t find anything wrong. They sent us home with more pain killers and saying we should wait for the physio appointment.

To A&E again, and finally a diagnosis…

Two more days of awful pain and I took him to see a private physio. Fortunately she could tell that Sam's pain was not normal. Apparently it’s very unusual for children to get deep bone pain. She called the A&E department and asked them to see Sam again - and this time to do a blood test.

That night we were admitted and they started lots more tests. We had to wait 36 hours before being told that they suspected Sam had leukaemia. He needed to be transferred to another hospital for further tests.

I was in complete shock

How could my otherwise healthy child have leukaemia?

They are words that no parent wants to hear - and for those first few days I was in shock.

Bone marrow test, treatment and speedy remission

I never thought that I would understand all of the words and medicines that the doctors used, or get used to the drugs that Sam has to have.At the specialist hospital Sam had a bone marrow test. This confirmed that he had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

We stayed at the hospital for three weeks. Those days are a complete blur. I never thought that I would understand all of the words and medicines that the doctors used, or get used to the drugs that Sam has to have.

We are so fortunate to be treated at such an amazing hospital and to have also met some wonderful families on this journey.

We were also very lucky that Sam achieved remission quickly and that he has reacted well to the drugs.

Further tests, however, showed that he had a high risk of relapse - so his treatment was intensified and lengthened.

Sam needs over three years of treatment

A while back Sam said: "Mummy, these may be the best three and a half years of my life". He's still saying that after two and a half years.Sam's treatment began in December 2013 and is due to last for three years and four months. Our end-of-treatment date isn't until April 2017.

At the moment that seems like a lifetime away.

My husband and I are very lucky to have such supportive employers. I have been able to continue my job part-time. I can go to work once my husband gets home.

Friends, family and our local community have also been hugely supportive. I never feel alone, there is always someone asking how we are, and if we need help.

Coping as a family

I do not know what the future holds for our family. Sam's illness has made us live for the day.

We find the five days a month when he has steroids very challenging - but his friends are very accepting, his friends' parents very understanding and his school very accommodating. They know that it's Sam's chemo making him emotionally and physically less able and they all work together with us to help him cope. We are incredibly lucky and it has made his illness less isolating.

Sam is now eight, and I could not be prouder of how he has dealt with everything life has thrown at him. We make the most of every day and try and fill our lives with as much joy and fun as possible.

A while back Sam said: "Mummy, these may be the best three and a half years of my life". He's still saying that after two and a half years. So I feel, as a mum, that I am doing the best job that I can. Trying to make these years as fun as I can, so we have more happy memories than sad ones.

The whole experience has certainly brought us closer as a family. And Sam and his brother, Ross, have developed a special bond too."

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